A view of Australia's detention of asylum seekers and a search for an antidote to the dictum "might makes right"

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu regarding the Dalai Lama

In response to the recent campaign of protest over South Africa's decision to deny the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the Nobel Peace Laureate's Conference, Archbishop Tutu has replied:

"Keep it up. You are the people who make freedom happen."

"It warms my heart to see so many of my fellow Nobel Laureates, stars, leaders, and people from around the world put their signature on paper, so to speak, to stand behind our friend the Dalai Lama.

"We have just seen a shameful example of South African leaders becoming timid in the face of Chinese "might" and their own economic interests, and refusing this incredible, peaceful being entry to our county --for a peace conference!

"It's an embarrassment that this could happen in a country that has known how dark life can be when your human rights are being smashed. And we, of all people, know what it means when someone in another part of the world stands up for your rights and freedom.

"So it's a joyful thing, to turn around and see you -- people from all countries, from all walks of life, who are willing to step forward, put their name down, and say "wait a minute, I object to this mistreatment!"

"It lets me know, once again, that good will ultimately prevail in this world.

"Keep it up. You are the people who make freedom happen."

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

You may also be interested in this article on Huffington Post, in which the Archbishop talks further about recent events in South Africa.

Community.com have advised that in the last 24 hours many people have asked about a Facebook page for Archbishop Tutu's letter.

If you are a Facebook member please sign up for the cause, post it to your page, distribute it to your friends, etc.

They have also added some icons at the bottom of the sign up page that make it easier for you to post the page to your facebook page, to diggit, to delicious, stumbleupon and others. Please feel free to revisit the page and help spread the news on the letter through these channels.